Perth Amboy OKs 2 a.m. closing for pool halls

Alexandra Pais/For The Star-LedgerCarlos Santos takes a shot at Action Billiards & Cafe in Perth Amboy last month.
PERTH AMBOY -- Despite police recommendations, the Perth Amboy City Council voted 3-2 to extend the operating times of billiard halls in the city by an hour to 1 a.m.

The measure, which will affect two pool halls in the city, was approved after Carlos A. Santos, the owner of Action Billiards & Café on New Brunswick Avenue, asked the city for a later closing time. He argued that he was losing business because patrons would go to neighboring municipalities that stayed open several hours later.

Council President Peter Jimenez, Councilman Ken Balut, and Councilman Fernando Gonzales voted in favor of a later closing time last week, while Councilwoman Geri Bolanowski and Councilman Bob Sottilaro voted against the measure.

Acting Perth Amboy Police Chief E.J. McDonald submitted a written opinion to the city council contending a later curfew would negatively affect the quality of life for those living in nearby apartments and private homes.

“Smoking is prohibited indoors so patrons are forced to stand outside and smoke, creating noise that permeates through the area,” McDonald wrote in the Nov. 13 letter. “Groups loitering and additional noise are inherent problems during the closing of an establishment as people are congregating to leave.”

Santos, a professional pool player, came to the United States from Peru when he was 14 years old, and opened his first pool hall in Old Bridge in 1996. He opened Action
Billiards, a former 99-cent store, in Perth Amboy in January and owns two other billiard halls in Passaic and Plainfield. Santos said he was unaware of the midnight closing time when he first opened in Perth Amboy.

Jimenez said he voted for the later closing because the pool halls provide an option to many kids who would otherwise be on the street. Action Billiards & Café does not have a liquor license, and the hall, which has 15 pool tables, serves soda, coffee and snacks such as chips and Ramen noodles.

“They should have somewhere to go,” Jimenez said.

Kevin Morse, an attorney from Woodbridge representing Santos, argued that his client had made a substantial investment in the community. He also asked the council to reconsider to extend the curfew to 2 a.m.

“He’s losing his customers to the competition,” said Morse, who added Edison, Sayreville and Old Bridge have 2 a.m. closing times.

In June, the city council unanimously approved a measure to close bars an hour earlier -- at 2 a.m., affecting about 60 establishments in the city.

Councilman Sottilaro said he voted against the extension based on the police recommendations, and reports of fighting and noise complaints from neighborhood bars.

Sottilaro said he did not like that Morse asked for an even later closing time.

“He wanted a piece of cake and a piece of pie … That kind of disturbed me,” said Sottilaro.

Santos said his lawyer would again ask the city for a 2 a.m. curfew in six months, after the establishment proves it won't disturb the neighborhood.